In a development that might change its combustion-engine legacy, Lotus Cars could be taking in a Mercedes-AMG V8 for the Emira sports car, as the escalating Euro 7 emissions regulation issues will likely end Lotus’s use of the 3.5-litre V6 powertrain.
The V6 is sourced from Toyota and supercharged to a whopping 400 hp; the engine has proved exceedingly popular, especially in the US, where demand remains strong regardless of impending restrictions.
Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng has confirmed that the brand is currently evaluating the feasibility of fitting a V8 engine in the Emira, although there is currently no specific unit confirmed, insiders suggest the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from AMG - seen in the Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT - is likely to be the preferred option.
The End of the V6 Road
Initially, Lotus planned to dispose of the V6 for the more emissions-compliant AMG four-cylinder sourced engine that is present in select global markets.
However, due to the immense popularity of V6, especially in the US, the company has decided to rethink their strategy as the US has historically represented 20 percent of global Lotus sales, so is a crucial market in the Emira lifecycle.
Can Emira Fit a V8?
While it sounds exciting to take out the V6 and replace it with a bigger V8 engine, it isn't necessarily plain sailing. The mid-engine layout of the Emira, along with the smaller structure will likely result in structural alterations being required to allow room for the V8. It has been reported that the Lotus engineers have undertaken review of these adjustments; no timeline for launch has been disclosed at this time.
Trade Tariffs and Global Pricing
The Emira, produced in Hethel, UK, recently faced a 25% US tariff, which completely stopped shipments to the US. The revised UK-US trade agreement has since dropped that number to 10%, giving hope for exports to get started again.
In India, the Emira currently has a price tag of ₹3.22 crore (ex-showroom). Thanks to India's Free Trade Agreement with the UK, Lotus enthusiasts might see a price drop if India-UK trade benefits are passed on to the consumer; as Mini hinted at recently with its construction of the Oxford built Cooper S.
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